Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-11
MIR. Todd at Home.

Rev. F. M. Todd, who has just undergone
trial for irregularities" preached at Ma
nassas yesterday morning, and in the even
ing at Nokesville. In the morning at Ma
nassas when the preliminary exercises were
over Mr.. Todd prefnced his sermon with a
few remarks delivered in quiet, SELF
possessed, and manly manner. He read the
outcome of his trial as it has been printed,
and said the defense had appealed from the
verdict. 1t was improperly formulated,
and he claimed that IL fact the verdict was
mot guilty." and believed the synod would
place the verdict in proper shape. He also
took pains to explain that the charge upon
which he was tried was a much lighter
thing than rumor had made it or than it
was made to appear in letter which min
lister Of this city, had sent to the Pres.
bytery, demanding an investigation into "a
fragrant crime" The only unchastity with
which he was charged was departure from
that chastity which is defined as freedom
from obscene, corrupt or extravagant
thought or expression" MIR. Todd went on
to says Of his accusers:
The effort seems to have been to obtain
from the Presbytery q verdict fguilty upon
that lighter charge; and then OF course to
have the community, who gets lis impress
sions more from rumor than from reading,
believe I was found guilty OF the graver
oflense Dr.Sunderland sat down very sharp
ly upon the minister, who had his friends, q
small faction in the Presbytery, from whom
the adverse vote came But l claim that
the verdict is in fact mot guilty" and | am
confident that the synod will revise the
,.,bi oh IN hot ~
read as it ought to read and tell the truth.
Now, want to say word to you about
the church. / do not presume to dictate to
the church or to the congregation what they
shall do But for some time parties outside
the church who have had no connection
whatever with the church, and who do not
support it, have been attempting to run it.
Now, / mean that nobody outside this
church shall interfere in its affairs that the
right to worship God according to the die
tates Of their own consciences shall not be
taken away from any congregation preach
to. AS often as any attempt at outside in
reference is made the intruders will find
me standing right here with my attitude I'M
changed.
Upon the conclusion of the service, and
when the last hymn had been sung by the
excellent choir, Mr.. Todd walked down
the aisle and out of the church, where he
shook hands with several male members Of
his congregation. Groups were formed in
front OF the little brown edifice and Mr..
Todd chatted pleasantly for awhile and then
drove to his home with his wife and son,
who had attended the service.
Mr.. Todd, was accompanied to NokesyilIe
by half dozen members of his Manassas
congregation, who volunteered to 90 with
him in case of the attempted execution of
thethreats which some Nokesvile people had
made against him. One of these was that
painful operation would be performed on
him if he showed up again near the town,
but no one appeared.
When the little church at Nokesville was
reached it was found that about fifteen PEG.
pie were there, several of whom were not
regular attendants, but who had come out
to show their confidence in the minister
Mr.. Todd, after shaking hands with several
of the male attendants, went TO his pulpit
Every thing was quiet, no one being on hand
to make any of the trouble which had been
threatened. The preacher again prefaced
his sermon with an explanation of his yer.
dict, and said the vote for his acquittal had
been larger than was that in Mr.. Talmage's
case several years ago.
At the conclusion of the service the male
portion of the attendants discussed the YER.
dict for awhile, previous to Mr.. Todd, ac.
companied by friend, visiting the scene Of
the alleged irregularities of which the
preacher was accused. When the failure of
those who had threatened violence to show
themselves was referred to, Mr. Todd laugh
ed. and throwing his hand back to his nip
pocket produced Il gliteling, nickle plated
revolver.
IL don't expect TO use it" he said but 1t
is as we'll to be prepared"
Upon the conclusion of the visit Mr.. Todd
returned to his home, having passed the
day safely and successfully performed his
clerical duties, when so many dangers
threatened him.